Defining Moments

To each in life we experience defining moments that determine our proximity to that which matters most. This book by Hoyt Brewster provides a wonderful glimpse into the decisions we make in life, whether they are seemingly significant or insignificant at the time, they become defining moments in our lives that set our course accordingly. A great and timely read. As we ponder our circumstances, may we each look with perspective to that which matters most, realizing the eternal perspective of He whose love is without measure. One of my favorite texts in the Book of Mormon, "it mattereth not..."

After spending a few hours with Matthew and Jack at the hospital last night, as Jack was recovering, having fallen from his and Annie's bunkbed ladder (He is alright!), it causes thought and reflection on the precious moments of life; the joys that come of the tender mercies afforded to each of us. In the stress of parenting, it is beneficial to look to the precious, tender and nurturing moments, and not get caught in the press of the moments. Mom once had a great cross stitched saying about cobwebs and housekeeping can wait, but time with my little ones cannot. How much we appreciate who each of our sons and daughters have become.

Our Travels!

World Travels. 48 Countries. Life is about creating memories!





US Travels, a plenty, 44 States; lots of memories, lots of fun!





It is a joy to read of each of your memories of these trips. What would be a great read, would be for each of you to write of your memorable stories from these journeys, wherein we could create a family journal of our travels. Reading the stories from each of your perspectives adds so much more to what each of us have experienced or remember. Travel has been a precious gift to each of you, not only for the cultures, perspective and experience, but for the love that it has engendered in each of us, thereby strengthening each of us individually and as a family. A gift we have cherished and will continue to nurture!

Intinerary for Family...Where are We?

For those who wonder...

Sept 4-16 Covenant Hills
Sept 10-11 Lauren in Mesa
Sept 12-14 David in Peoria (maybe?)
Sept 17-20 Buckland Manor
Sept 21-22 Copenhagen
Sept 22-Oct 7 Dover, Falmouth, Waterford, Glasgow, Belfast, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, NYC
Oct 7-10 Carmel, NY
Oct 16-31 Atlanta, GA (for only a few days, without knowing when - Romney Advisory Council)
Nov 2-5 Missouri City, TX (Miles Blessing)
Nov 6-9 Carmel, IN & Peoria, IL
Nov 21-24 Carmel, IN (Thanksgiving)
Dec 1-4 Carmel, IN (Sophie Blessing)
Dec 20-Jan 4 Sundance (Christmas)
Mar 18-29 Kauai & Maui

January-March Trips to Indy, Texas, Arizona and Utah (To be determined) We are open for suggestions.

Seeking for the simple things of life...

As we strive for that which truly matters in life, we find joy! Joy is not found in the complexities of the world, nor is it found in the contentions of the society in which we live, but in the simple truths of eternity. In seeking for simplicity, ridding ourselves of contention and complexity; and in experiencing joy, we don't necessarily find it as we might hope, even so it is joy none the less.

In 1987 when we felt compelled to simplify our lives, we found joy amid the sorrows of travail and tribulation in cancer. The greater lesson of perspective was a tender mercy and blessing that came thereby. Recently, whether borne of the stress of it all, we again have felt a need to seek for more joy in our lives, and have thus sought again to simplify. Who knows what may be in store. Even so, after the challenges of 2005, we have sought to simplify in 2006. We are progressing!

In January we closed a chapter in our lives with the unwinding of a great and profitable partnership in SRS, and the creation of sole ownership of SRS Capital Partners. In August, we closed another chapter in the sale of Moneyline. In September, we will close another with the sale of the Sunchase Apartments and dissolution of Comco III. We also completed the funding of Oxford Media and related acquisition of SVI Hotel Corporation. Although purchasing a new company may not seem a part of simplification, it stabilizes Oxford and thus provides for less complexity in our lives. By year end we will have recapitalized Strawberry Farms and sold our interests in Ruby’s (maybe), and re-created Kilravock Holdings, Inc. as a partnership. All in all, the simplification continues, thus affording time, energy and resource to those things that truly matter in life, thus JOY! More time with our children and grandchildren; more time at the Temple; more time in church service; more time in worthy causes…Care For Life and Mitt Romney’s presidential pursuits. All in all, 2006 is becoming the year we had hoped, more joy!

The best of times...the worst of times...

It has been far too long since my last post, but what a year it has been! The joys thus far, above all things have been the births of Maxwell David Parker and Miles Jefferson Horn, with the pending arrival of number 12, Sophie Carla Parker. Adding to it are the sweet moments shared with Andrew, Ethan, Emma, Annie, Jack, Max, Audrey, Parker, Miles, Mabel and Oliver. Of course, it has been equally great with each of our sons and daughters and their dear companions. And then, as icing to the cake, are the tender Temple moments that Lauren and I share every Saturday. Life is truly grand!

Mixed amid the good and cherished, are the things that matter least, but often take the most time, selling Moneyline and Sunchase and trying to turn Oxford around. Albeit difficult because of demands, we strive to devote ourselves to that which matters most and not get caught up in the thick of thin things (to quote Paul Dunn).


Since our last post we purchased our new home, having closed in late March.




Since March we have probably lived in the house for about 5 weeks, and Lauren even less. We closed on one day and left for Hawaii and Sundance the next day for the 4 weeks that followed.





We needed the space for the contractors to complete the landscape and addition. Then it has been off to grandkids, Indy, Mesa, Houston, and kids in Provo, and then grandkids to us. Since the end of July it has been constant. Lauren has been in Mesa, Carmel and Texas to be with our newest addition Miles and family. We will be home on the 3rd of September.

We leave on the 17th for Buckland, Copenhagen, Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland and NY, and then home again on the 10th of October.



We will be in Houston on the 1st weekend of November for Miles' blessing, Indy for Thanksgiving, Indy the 1st weekend in December for Sophie's blessing and Sundance for Christmas. We will keep our calendar henceforth on this blog. The journeys continue and life is grand. Every day is a gift and we love them all.